Motivated by our faith and inspired and sustained by religious community, we have a strong tradition of social justice within Unitarian Universalism and in our Fellowship.
Ours is a faith of “deeds, not creeds,” and we believe social justice work is a vital part of congregational and spiritual life.
Justice Action Ministries
We believe that long-term institutional work, as well as helping to meet immediate needs, are both required to bring about justice in our world. Our governing board has stated that one of our Ends (goals) is that we: “are a visible presence and resource, courageously challenging injustice and inequity.”
- Our Justice Action Ministry (JAM) program is multi-faceted and has something for everyone!
- We have different JAMs that each focus on unique issues, for example hunger and homelessness or environmental justice. These are led by members and friends of our Fellowship who have a passion for these issues.
- JAMs often cooperate to support each other and recognize the interdependence of our work.
- JAMs host events, educational opportunities, or offer ways to make a difference in our larger community. A few examples from past years include: Serving several meals each year at one of the Pillars shelters in Appleton, supporting a Habitat for Humanity build, working to increase citywide public transportation through our interfaith group (ESTHER), having film-viewings to learn about climate change, supporting the building of a Guest House at our partner congregation in Romania, and providing holiday gifts for local children whose parents are undocumented immigrants.
Justice Action Ministry Facilitators
The purpose of the JAM Facilitators is to help the Fellowship fulfill the part of our mission statement stating that we will “Lead in Social Justice.” This team consists of members and leaders from each JAM and those who want to help support the creation of new JAMs, and the larger support of the justice ministries of the Fellowship.
Essentials: Food and Shelter for All Action JAM
The team meets monthly at the Fellowship on the first Monday of the month at 5:30 pm. All are welcome!
We work to ensure adequate food and shelter in the Fox Valley and beyond; to work to address obstacles that stand in the way of people being able to meet these needs for themselves.
Our activities include continuing to engage Fellowship members and friends in providing meals and other necessities to those experiencing food and housing insecurity in the community through participation in the E2F (Empty to Full) meal pan collection, preparing and serving meals at Pillars Adult and Family Shelters, and assisting local pantries.
Coordinators: Angie Miller, [email protected], Deb Muench, [email protected], Miriam Douglass [email protected], Nan Middleton [email protected]
Green Sanctuary JAM
This Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) program enables interested congregations to work on issues of climate change and environmental justice, culminating in Green Sanctuary accreditation.
To achieve accreditation, there are a number of activities to complete involving environmental justice, worship and celebration, religious education and sustainable living.
The Green Sanctuary JAM team is committed to working on these tasks to assist the Fellowship to better align our actions with the 7th UU Principle. We would love your ideas and help!
ESTHER: This is the Fellowship’s connection to ESTHER, an interfaith community organizing group of which the Fellowship is a member. The purpose of the JAM is to educate, motivate and mobilize Fellowship members to participate in social justice activities, such as reforms to prison, immigration reform and public transportation. We work by building relationships. Contact Connie Raether for information at [email protected].
